Tips on leaving chickens on vacation?

[GldnValleyHens]

In about a month, my family and I will be heading on a vacation and won't return to our zoo for about a week. I have left my chickens before and never had problems, but a week in the hot July heat makes me nervous, and we have lots of new additions; ducks, chicks and peachicks. Any tips on how to make food last and keep my chicks from killing each other in the brooder? We have 3 stages of babies, a pullet who should be ok in the big girl's coop, 9 4 week old chicks&peachicks, and 3 baby chicks who will only be about 2 weeks old when we leave. Will my 2 chick groups clash? I was thinking a huge round cardboard circle with a screen over the top for the babies.

 

[centrarchid]

Have a house sitter. With young birds in confinement I would have those checked at least twice daily. When is hot, then be particularly studious about checks. Make certain anti-predator systems are up and running an easily assessed by someone that is a novice. Make so you can be reached 24 / 7 by phone. I would call in daily to get updates from caretaker.

 

[ChickenMammX4]

I would have someone come daily to check on your animals. We have an automatic popdoor, last summer when we were on vacation the fishing line used to open the door decided to break locking the chickens in the coop. It was summer and the water is out in the run. Luckily my sister-in-law came everyday to check on things and collect eggs. It always seems some mishap occurs when you're away and a lot can go wrong with animals.

 

[centrarchid]

I pre-mix and portion feed in a manner that reduces mental effort caretakers must invest. Keep the feed in a easy to find location that protects feed from weather extremes. Have a couple days extra feed plus a little cash for emergency purposes. I strategically place buckets of water so not a lot of carrying is needed.

 

[Egghead_Jr]

Easiest way to leave chickens on vacation:

Have them wait in hotel room with excuse you're picking up a few souveniers then dash to the airport without them.

or if your not taking them with you:

Ask/bribe/beg a neighbor to tend your livestock while your away.

 

[Sunny-Side Up]

Yeah, I think with the animals that you have,
it wouldn't be very good to leave them all alone.
If you can, get an animal-sitter to watch them.

 

[GldnValleyHens]

thanks for all the advice! I think I will get a friend of mine or our neighbor to come over at least twice to our house. We live off in the country with a long drive, so friends have quite a ways to go. My poor neighbors are always left taking care of my chickens LOL. I wish we had those auto opening doors but they sure are expensive!